Enhance bond with HK

Shenzhen University aims to admit more Hong Kong students in the next five years, offer cross-border courses with Hong Kong universities and encourage research projects to meet the needs of Hong Kong's development, Li said.

The Hong Kong chief executive's latest Policy Address said the SAR government has taken measures to increase the flow of talent in the Greater Bay Area. It will consider extending immigration arrangements for nonlocal graduates to cover students from the campuses of Hong Kong universities in the Greater Bay Area.

This means that those graduates from Hong Kong universities' branches in the mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area - about 5,000 people per year (or even more in the future) - could apply for work permits in Hong Kong and become permanent residents after having lived in the city for seven years. The current arrangements allow only non-local students who have studied in Hong Kong to work after graduation.

Deeper collaboration within the Greater Bay Area will not only lead to technology industrial upgrades, but also help the region retain the relevant talents, according to educators and graduates.